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Racial, Ethnic, Gender Discrimination

Discriminating against employees and job-seekers because of race, sex, age and religion is illegal. Yet it happens every day and, very often, no one complains so there are no consequences. Likewise, there are public accommodation laws which require that all customers and guests be given service.

Unfortunately, racial profiling is common not only among law enforcement agencies but in much of the retail sector. Young African-American males are often singled out for unwarranted surveillance and harassment. Businesses need to recognize that we are becoming a nation of minorities; successful businesses satisfy every sector of society, not just their own.

While retail profiling may not be against the letter of the law, discrimination in the workplace is and employers who violate equal employment laws can be prosecuted.

Some employers simply do not hire African Americans or they hire them only for certain menial positions. Others routinely discriminate against women, paying them less than men for doing the same job or not promoting them beyond a certain level (the "glass ceiling" effect).

There are many instances in which women are let go when their employer learns they are pregnant. In other cases, employees are penalized for taking leave for medical or family reasons.

All of these practices are against the law and victims can seek redress in the courts.

If you have been fired, demoted, not hired or given a lower-paying assignment because of what you believe is unlawful discrimination, you and others who have been abused by the same employer may be able to recover damages and back pay.

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